Re: [A/S] My first Airstream!

["Jim Dunmyer" <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dana,
 Your problems are minor and easily handled, albeit not cheaply. :-)

Install a regulation septic system, just like for a house. You might be
allowed a smaller system, as you'll probably have no washer/dryer, but think
twice: you might want to install a shed with that washer/dryer someday.
You'll run a 4" line from the septic tank over to where the trailer is going
to be parked, and simply hook up the dump connection. Like in a trailer
park, you'll leave the gray water drain valve open and dump the black tank
when it gets 3/4 full. It would be best to have maybe 1/2 tank of gray water
to flush the line after dumping the black tank, as it's fairly concentrated
when it comes from a trailer.

I'd second the recommendation on the solar power. Get a sizeable controller
(20 amp or more) and a couple of 100-watt panels. No need to install them on
the trailer, in fact, you'd be better off to install them on a frame with
the proper tilt to it. Get 2 or 4 golf cart batteries; put 'em in a box
right beneath the panels, then run (heavy) 12 volt wiring to the trailer.
Start at http://www.rvsolarelectric.com for system information, holler if
you want some more URLs. You can add more panels later if you find that you
need 'em.

A generator might be called for if you anticipate the need to run power
tools, etc., but you'll probably not need it otherwise. In fact, if you use
cordless tools, you can charge the batteries (using an inverter) during the
day when it's sunny and may not need a genset at all. A genset is considered
a bad bet for daily power needs, but a small one might be nice for the
occassional "week of gloom", if you get that kind of weather. In that case,
be sure that you have something like an Inteli-Power converter (with Charge
Wizard) so you can minimize generator run-time. Note that a standard RV
converter is a poor battery charger AT BEST, and they do even worse when
powered by a genset.

You'll probably find that you'll never need nor want to connect to the grid.

You might consider a subscription to HomePower Magazine, see
http://www.homepower.com


                                                                 <<Jim>>